Blog
Deep Hole Creek Has a New Farmer
This past summer, the Trust sold the former Koehler property along New Suffolk Avenue at Deep Hole Creek to a new conservation owner: Will Peckham of West Robins Oyster Company.
The property, 15 acres in Mattituck, was acquired by the Trust in July 2022 from the Koehler family with the help of the local community and Southold Town. The farmland has been perpetually protected and is now in the hands of a grower assuring that it will be put back into agricultural production. Over 120 community members contributed to the conservation of the land, donating nearly $670,000. The Town of Southold purchased the development rights on the farmland. If not protected, the property could have been developed with seven residential lots.
Will responded to the Request for Proposals (RFP) the Trust issued with a plan to put the 12.2 acres of farmland back into agricultural production. A mariculture farmer, Will is looking at opportunities to grow and support his oyster cultivation while improving the water quality of the creek, as well as expand into terrestrial farming.
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Will Peckham taking a soil sample at the Deep Hole Creek property as he looks at building the soil health.
“West Robins began in 2016 with guiding values of raising the profile of New York’s shellfish aquaculture industry while improving our local marine environment. Over the past seven years as our shellfish farm has grown, we sought a waterfront home where we could put down roots and continue to grow our business and positive environmental impact. Before the Trust’s involvement, we closely watched this property approach the market but knew it was out of reach for a farmer financially. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Trust, the Town of Southold, the local community and partner Dirt Capital for investing in conservation and aligning your dollars with our community values.
We will prioritize thoughtful agricultural use of the property, focusing on building soil health and reducing runoff into Deep Hole Creek through low-till and no-till agriculture. When the time is right, we look forward to opening our doors to the local community to share our progress on how we are using our farm business as a force for good in Mattituck and Deep Hole Creek.” - Will Peckham, West Robins Oyster Company
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We wish Will all the best in his ag business!
The Trust would like to thank all the supporters of this project for giving so generously of their time and resources. We are so grateful to the donors and volunteers who supported this project, to the Koehler family for choosing a conservation option, and to our partners in Southold Town for making this a conservation success.